222 [June, 



Grande, a range from east to west exceeding 100 m., and along the Rio Grande 

 from Eagle Spring Pass to Don Ana, a distance of 120 m. North of this, I did 

 not see them. I was not among them during the season of incubation. 



Callipepla, Wagler. 



Al. C. sQtJAMMATA, Wagler. Scaly Quail, or Partridge. 



This species I have met with, at different times, throughout a more extended 

 region than either of the last two, viz : from Camargo, onthe lower Rio Grande, 

 to Santa Fe. On the present occasion, they were more numerous between the 

 latter point and Don Ana than elsewhere. They seem to prefer the vicinity of 

 the greater water courses to interior tracts. They are much more wild than 

 either of the preceding, and being extremely watchful and swift of foot, they elude 

 pursuit with surprising skill, scarcely resorting to flight, even in comparatively 

 open, sandy ground. They do not approach the settlements as much as the last. 

 For the table, all. these species, however, ])0ssess in a high degree the requisites 

 of plump muscle and delicate flavour. Massena is perhaps the best. 



Tetrao, Linn. 

 AS. T. cvviDO, {L.)Wils. Pinnated Grouse. 



Were found in Texas, between Lavaca, Victoria, and Goliad. 



49. T. oBScuRus, Bouap. Dusky Grouse. 



A few flocks were seen in the mountains from Santa Fe to Taos. In Septem- 

 ber they were feeding on the berries of the White Cedar. 



[I should mention that the Wild Turkey (M. G.) was found on almost every 

 stream margined with timber, throughout the whole of the country traversed. On 

 the Nueces, Leona, and Turkey Creek, they were in great numbers.] 



Charadrius, Lin7i. 



50. C. vociFERUS, Li7in. Kildeer plover. 



This bird I found occasionally on the whole route. 



Himantoptjs, Briss. 



51. H. NiGRicoLLTs, Vieill. Black-necked Stilt. 



Occasional flocks were seen on the Rio Grande, as high up as San Elizario. 



Tringa, Linn. 



52. T. HiMANTOPUS, Botiap. Long legged Sand piper. 



I found a few birds of this species near San Elizario, in October. Their fa- 

 vorite range, however, does not extend far from the Gulf. On reference to my 

 notes, I find they were abundant about Corpus Christi, from September to March, 

 1845-6 ; at the termination of which period I hft them still there. They were 

 exceedingly numerous about Matamoras, during the following winter, and were 

 served at the tables of the Hotels and Restaurants very prodigally, as well as the 

 Chiac-chia-lacca. The Sandpiper was at this season very fat, and was considered, 

 by many, little inferior to the Snipe, (S. Wilsonii) for which it often passed. 



[I might remark, in passing, that the Chiac-chia-lacca, as it is called by the 

 Mexicans a name doubtlessly derived from its peculiar cry, which strikingly re- 

 sembles a repetition of those syllables is also a capital bird for the table. It is 

 the Penelope Poliocephala of Wagler ; and since the extension of our domain to 

 the Rio Grande, is now a bird of the United States. It is very numerous on the 



